Ski-Touring Toe-Piece with Independent Release Lever
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ski-touring bindings lack independent toe-piece release mechanisms, resulting in complex and heavy rear heel-piece systems with poor rigidity and weight issues, which compromise downhill performance and safety, especially at low temperatures where mechanical components tend to jam due to ice formation.
Innovation Solution
A simplified toe-piece design featuring a base plate with symmetrical jaws and a single-piece elastic element in the form of a 'U' shape, allowing independent rotation and adjustment for safe release under torsional forces, with a lightweight and easy-to-produce configuration that includes a lever for operating the elastic element to switch between closed and open positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex rear heel-piece release mechanism is used to achieve safety release, then safety function is provided, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The binding is divided into independent toe-piece and heel-piece components, each with its own release mechanism. The toe-piece includes a lever (40) that independently controls the jaws (20) to release the boot toe, separate from the heel-piece release system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The release function is extracted from the heel-piece and implemented independently in the toe-piece through a simple lever mechanism. This extraction eliminates the need for complex interconnected release systems and allows the toe-piece to provide independent safety release, reducing the burden on the heel-piece mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If multiple springs and connection elements are used in the toe-piece, then closing function is achieved, but weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements are merged into a single integrated lever (40) that performs both the closing action and the release action. The lever works in conjunction with a single elastic element (30) to provide both the closing force and the release mechanism, eliminating the need for separate springs and connection elements, thereby reducing weight and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever (40) serves multiple functions: it closes the jaws (20) onto the boot toe, maintains the closed position during normal use, and releases the jaws when activated. The elastic element (30) similarly provides both the closing force and the reset mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while maintaining full operational capability.
3Ease of operation
If complex mechanical sets of springs and connection elements are used, then closing and release functions are achieved, but reliability decreases due to jamming at low temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The complex mechanical sets of springs and connection elements are replaced with a simplified lever (40) and single elastic element (30) mechanism. This extraction of unnecessary components eliminates the sources of potential jamming and mechanical failure, particularly at low temperatures where ice formation can interfere with complex mechanisms. The simpler the mechanism, the fewer points of failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element (30) automatically provides the closing force and reset action without requiring additional mechanical assistance. The lever (40) self-locks in the closed position through its geometric relationship with the jaws (20) and elastic element, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms that could jam. The system uses its own inherent elasticity and geometry to maintain reliability in cold conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enhances rigidity, reduces weight, and improves safety by allowing independent toe release, reducing the risk of injury and malfunction, while maintaining ease of assembly and application, and is less prone to jamming at low temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a single-piece elastic element able to be operated rotationally and cooperating with said transverse arms so as to determine different opening/closing positions of the toe-piece
Data Source
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AI summary
Toe-piece for ski-mountaineering bindings extending in a longitudinal lengthwise direction (X-X) of the toe-piece, transverse widthwise direction (Y-Y) and vertical direction (Z-Z) perpendicular to the aforementioned directions and comprising: - a base plate (10) provided with holes (11) for fixing by means of screws (11a) to the surface (S) of a ski (1) from a front tip (1a) to a rear tail end, the plate (10) being connected to: -two jaws (20) situated opposite each other and symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis (X-X), each with a transverse arm (21b) and a vertical arm (21a) provided with a respective transverse conical pin (22), which arms are designed to rotate about an axis (13) substantially parallel to the base plate (10) and to the longitudinal direction (X-X) between a closed/open position for retaining/inserting and releasing the toe (2a) of a ski-boot (2) and an open/closed position for releasing and inserting/retaining the toe (2a), - a single-piece elastic element (30; 130) with two ends (32;132) cooperating with said transverse arms (21b) and able to be operated from a rest position, corresponding to the closed/open position of the jaws (20), to a rotated and elastically deformed position for rotationally operating the jaws (20) into the open/closed position for inserting and releasing/retaining the toe (2a) of the ski-boot (2) inside the toe-piece.